Wide-angle zoom lens

ABSTRACT

A wide-angle zoom lens is disclosed having only two lens groups, of negative and positive refractive power in order from the object side, respectively, and which provides an image angle at the wide-angle end of at least 100°. Zooming is performed by moving the first lens group and the second lens group along the optical axis. The first lens group is formed of, in sequential order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens element with its convex surface on the object side, two negative lens elements, and a positive lens element. The second lens group is formed of, in sequential order from the object side, two positive lens elements, a biconcave lens element, and two positive lens elements. Various conditions are preferably satisfied so as to minimize aberrations and make the zoom lens compact and easy to manufacture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] In general, in designing a zoom lens, providing a negative refractive power to the object-side lens group has the benefit that a wide-angle of view is facilitated while also providing a long back focus for the insertion of necessary optical components between the zoom lens and the image plane. On the other hand, especially in a two-group lens construction where the lens groups are of negative and positive refractive power in order from the object side, the zoom lens system becomes asymmetric and aberration variations due to zooming become large, making it difficult to obtain favorable correction of aberrations across the entire range of zoom.

[0002] Examples of conventional two-group zoom lenses wherein the front lens group has negative refractive power and the rear lens group has positive refractive power are disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent Applications H9-171139 and H11-344670.

[0003] Although the lens system described in Japanese Laid Open Patent Application H9-171139 has an image angle of 100 degrees or more and thus is a wide-angle lens system, the second lens group has seven lens elements and the entire zoom lens includes as many as eleven lens elements, making it difficult to miniaturize the lens. On the other hand, although the lens system described in Japanese Laid Open Patent Application H11-344670 is easily miniaturized due to having only three lens elements in the first lens group and only eight lens elements overall, it is more difficult to favorably correct the various aberrations since there is less flexibility of design the fewer the number of lens elements. Further, because there are only two lens elements which provide the negative refractive power required in the front lens group, the curvatures of these lens elements must be relatively strong, causing the manufacturing costs for these lens elements to increase.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention is a zoom lens having an image angle 2ω of 100 degrees or more at the wide-angle end, and is especially useful in monitoring cameras. Also, the present invention may be used in various other kinds of video cameras and electronic still cameras which use a solid-state image detector, such as a CCD array, to record the image.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a compact, wide-angle zoom lens which favorably corrects aberrations and is easy to manufacture while providing an angle of view at the wide-angle end of 100 degrees or more.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein:

[0007]FIG. 1 shows the basic lens element configuration and lens group positions of a wide-angle zoom lens according to Embodiment 1 at both the wide-angle and telephoto ends;.

[0008]FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, for Embodiment 1 at the wide-angle end;

[0009]FIGS. 2D, 2E and 2F show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, for Embodiment 1 at the mid position;

[0010]FIGS. 2G, 2H, and 2I show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, for Embodiment 1 at the telephoto end;

[0011]FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, for Embodiment 2 at the wide-angle end;

[0012]FIGS. 3D, 3E and 3F show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, for Embodiment 2 at the mid position;

[0013]FIGS. 3G, 3H, and 3I show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, for Embodiment 2 at the telephoto end;

[0014]FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, for Embodiment 3 at the wide-angle end;

[0015]FIGS. 4D, 4E and 4F show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, for Embodiment 3 at the mid position;

[0016]FIGS. 4G, 4H, and 4I show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, for Embodiment 3 at the telephoto end;

[0017]FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, for Embodiment 4 at the wide-angle end;

[0018]FIGS. 5D, 5E and 5F show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, for Embodiment 4 at the mid position; and

[0019]FIGS. 5G, 5H, and 5I show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, for Embodiment 4 at the telephoto end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The wide-angle zoom lens of the present invention is formed of, in order from the object side, a first lens group having negative refractive power and a second lens group having positive refractive power. Zooming is performed by moving the first lens group and the second lens group along the optical axis. The first lens group is formed of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens element with its convex surface on the object side, two negative lens elements, and a positive lens element. The second lens group is formed of, in order from the object side, two positive lens elements, a biconcave lens element, and two positive lens elements. Preferably, the following Conditions (1)-(3) are satisfied: 0.43 < | |f₁/f₂| < 0.85 . . . Condition (1) 0.35 < f_(IN)/f₁ < 0.75 . . . Condition (2) 0.30 < |m_(2W)| < 0.48 . . . Condition (3)

[0021] where

[0022] f₁ is the focal length of the first lens group,

[0023] f₂ is the focal length of the second lens group,

[0024] f_(1N) is the composite focal length of the first three lens elements in the first lens group, in order from the object side, and

[0025] m_(2W) is the longitudinal magnification of the second lens group, at the wide-angle end.

[0026] The following Conditions (4) and (5) should, preferably, also be satisfied: 0.43 < |f₁/f₂| < 0.75 . . . Condition (4) 0.8 < f_(f1f2)/f₁ < 1.4 . . . Condition (5)

[0027] where

[0028] f₁ and f₂ are as defined above, and

[0029] f_(f1f2) is the composite focal length of the first two lens elements in the first lens group, in order from the object side.

[0030]FIG. 1 shows the basic lens element configuration and lens group positions for Embodiment 1 of the present invention at both the wide-angle and telephoto ends. The wide-angle zoom lens of this embodiment has a construction in which the first lens group G1 is formed of four lens elements and the second lens group G2 is formed of five lens elements so as to provide a compact construction having nine lens elements overall. Also, a stop 1 is positioned between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2, and a filter unit 2 such as an infrared cutoff filter is positioned on the image side of the second lens group G2. Light flux from an object on the object side forms an image on the detecting surface of a solid-state image detector 3, such a CCD array.

[0031] When zooming, the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 move along the optical axis as indicated in FIG. 1. Focusing is performed by moving the first lens group G1 along the optical axis.

[0032] The purpose of each of the Conditions (1)-(3) will now be explained. Condition (1) is for appropriately setting the negative/positive power allocation of the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2. If the lower limit of Condition (1) is not satisfied, because the required displacement of the second lens group G2 during zooming increases, the total length of the zoom lens will become too long to achieve a compact zoom lens. Also, the positive curvature of field becomes large, making its correction difficult. On the other hand, if the upper limit value is exceeded, the refractive power of the second lens group G2 becomes too strong, making it difficult to correct the negative spherical aberration occurring in the second lens group G2, and making a wide image angle difficult to achieve.

[0033] Condition (2) is for appropriately setting the power of the first three lens elements in the first lens group G1, in order from the object side. If the lower limit of Condition (2) is not satisfied, because the negative refractive power of the first lens group G1 becomes too strong, negative distortion at the wide-angle end becomes excessive, making its correction difficult. On the other hand, if the upper limit of Condition (2) is exceeded, the negative refractive power of the first lens group G1 becomes weak, and its front lens diameter increases, which is disadvantageous in making the zoom lens compact.

[0034] Condition (3) is for appropriately setting the range of the longitudinal magnification of the second lens group G2 at the wide-angle end. If the lower limit of Condition (3) is not satisfied, because the power of the second lens group G2 becomes too strong, negative spherical aberration becomes stronger, making its correction difficult. On the other hand, if the upper limit of Condition (3) is not satisfied, the displacement required of the second lens group G2 during zooming becomes large, causing the zoom lens to no longer be compact.

[0035] By satisfying Condition (4) in addition to Condition (1), achieving a sufficiently large, wide-angle view of at least 100° becomes easier. By also satisfying Condition (5), a wide-angle view of at least 115° (i.e., 2ω≧115°) at the wide-angle end is achieved while maintaining favorable correction of all aberrations.

[0036] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be discussed in detail.

[0037] Embodiment 1

[0038] The basic lens element configuration and group positions during zooming for the wide-angle zoom lens of Embodiment 1 are as shown in FIG. 1. The first lens group G1 is formed of, in sequential order from the object side, a first lens element L₁ and a second lens element L₂ each of which is a negative meniscus lens with its convex surface on the object side, a third lens element L₃ that is biconcave, and a fourth lens element L₄ that is a positive meniscus lens element with its convex surface on the object side.

[0039] The second lens group G2 is formed of, in sequential order from the object side, a fifth lens element L₅ that is biconvex, a sixth lens element L₆ that has a positive meniscus shape with its convex surface on the object side, a seventh lens element L₇ that is biconcave, and an eighth lens element L₈ and a ninth lens element L₉, each of which is biconvex.

[0040] Table 1 below lists the surface number # in order from the object side, the radius of curvature R (in mm) of each surface, the on-axis spacing D (in mm) between surfaces, as well as the index of refraction N_(d) and Abbe number ν_(d) (both at the d line) of each optical element of Embodiment 1. In the middle portion of the table are listed the values for D8, D9 and D19 as well as the focal lengths f (in mm) and the F-numbers F_(NO) for each zoom position corresponding to the wide-angle end W, the mid-position M, and the telephoto end T. In the bottom portion of the table are listed the values which correspond to the Conditions (1)-(5). TABLE 1 # R D N_(d) υ_(d) 1 20.99 1.19 1.77250 49.6 2 6.34 1.56 3 9.78 1.07 1.77250 49.6 4 6.30 2.41 5 −24.20 0.94 1.71299 53.8 6 9.23 0.49 7 9.50 2.17 1.84665 23.8 8 123.23 D8 (variable) 9 ∞ (stop) D9 (variable) 10 11.20 1.84 1.80609 40.9 11 −47.35 0.16 12 8.20 1.81 1.62041 60.3 13 171.90 0.38 14 −14.16 1.60 1.84665 23.8 15 7.26 0.39 16 21.36 1.78 1.62041 60.3 17 −10.03 0.17 18 15.61 1.72 1.69679 55.5 19 −20.03 D19 (variable) 20 ∞ 3.32 1.51680 64.2 21 ∞ W M T D8 10.53  4.43 2.07 D9 4.27 2.89 1.50 D19 3.44 4.83 6.21 f 2.29 3.43 4.58 F_(NO) 1.46 1.60 1.83 Condition (1), (4) value: |f₁/f₂| = 0.83 Condition (2) value: f_(IN)/f₁ = 0.53 Condition (3) value: |m_(2w)| = 0.35 Condition (5) value f_(f1f2)/f₁ = 1.18

[0041]FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, for this embodiment at the wide-angle end (f=2.29 mm), FIGS. 2D, 2E and 2F show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, at the mid position (f=3.43 mm), and FIGS. 2G, 2H, and 2I show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, at the telephoto end (f=4.58 mm). In these aberration plots ω is the half-image angle. The spherical aberration is shown for both the d and g lines, and the astigmatism is shown for both the sagittal S and tangential T image planes.

[0042] Thus, as is apparent from comparing the data of Table 1 with the Conditions (1)-(5), the zoom lens of Embodiment 1 satisfies each of the Conditions (1)-(5), and the F numbers lie in the range 1.46-1.83 so as to provide a bright image. Further, as is apparent from FIGS. 2A-2I, the image angle 2ω is 117.2° at the wide-angle end and each of the various aberrations is favorably corrected throughout the range of zoom.

[0043] Embodiment 2

[0044] Although the construction of the wide-angle zoom lens relating to Embodiment 2 is basically the same as in Embodiment 1, it is different in that the second lens element L₂ of the first lens group G1 is a biconcave lens, and the third lens element L₃ is a negative meniscus lens with its convex surface on the object side.

[0045] Table 2 below lists the surface number # in order from the object side, the radius of curvature R (in mm) of each surface, the on-axis spacing D (in mm) between surfaces, as well as the index of refraction N_(d) and Abbe number ν_(d) (both at the d line) of each optical element of Embodiment 2. In the middle portion of the table are listed the values for D8, D9 and D 19 as well as the focal lengths f (in mm) and the F-numbers F_(NO) for each zoom position corresponding to the wide-angle end W, the mid-position M, and the telephoto end T. In the bottom portion of the table are listed the values which correspond to the Conditions (1)-(5). TABLE 2 # R D N_(d) υ_(d) 1 15.08 1.00 1.77250 49.6 2 5.80 4.35 3 −147.74 2.00 1.77250 49.6 4 12.98 0.83 5 16.72 2.00 1.71299 53.8 6 7.28 0.97 7 7.53 2.76 1.84665 23.8 8 11.53 D8 (variable) 9 ∞ (stop) D9 (variable) 10 15.14 1.94 1.80400 46.6 11 −30.23 0.15 12 7.59 2.46 1.62041 60.3 13 29.83 0.61 14 −20.56 2.50 1.84665 23.8 15 7.06 0.41 16 20.15 1.71 1.62041 60.3 17 −13.54 0.16 18 10.05 1.81 1.69679 55.5 19 −37.76 D19 (variable) 20 ∞ 3.32 1.51680 64.2 21 ∞ W M T D8 8.18 3.59 2.23 D9 5.42 3.55 1.67 D19 3.45 5.33 7.21 f 2.24 3.36 4.48 F_(NO) 1.45 1.64 1.97 Condition (1), (4) value: |f₁/f₂| = 0.60 Condition (2) value: f_(IN)/f₁ = 0.74 Condition (3) value: |m_(2w)| = 0.44 Condition (5) value f_(f1f2)/f₁ = 1.16

[0046]FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, for this embodiment at the wide-angle end (f=2.24 mm), FIGS. 3D, 3E and 3F show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, at the mid position (f=3.36 mm), and FIGS. 3G, 3H, and 3I show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, at the telephoto end (f=4.48 mm). In these aberration plots ω is the half-image angle. The spherical aberration is shown for both the d and g lines, and the astigmatism is shown for both the sagittal S and tangential T image planes.

[0047] Thus, as is apparent from comparing the data of Table 2 with the Conditions (1)-(5), the zoom lens of Embodiment 2 satisfies each of the Conditions (1)-(5), and the F numbers lie in the range 1.45-1.97 so as to provide a bright image. Further, as is apparent from FIGS. 3A-3I, the image angle 2ω is 119.6° at the wide-angle end and each of the various aberrations is favorably corrected throughout the range of zoom.

[0048] Embodiment 3

[0049] The basic lens element configuration of the wide-angle zoom lens of Embodiment 3 is similar to that of Embodiment 1, except in this embodiment the fourth lens element L₄ of the first lens group G1, as well as the sixth lens element L₆ of the second lens group G2, are biconvex.

[0050] Table 3 below lists the surface number # in order from the object side, the radius of curvature R (in mm) of each surface, the on-axis spacing D (in mm) between surfaces, as well as the index of refraction N_(d) and Abbe number ν_(d) (both at the d line) of each optical element of Embodiment 3. In the middle portion of the table are listed the values for D8, D9 and D19 as well as the focal lengths f (in mm) and the F-numbers F_(NO) for each zoom position corresponding to the wide-angle end W, the mid-position M, and the telephoto end T. In the bottom portion of the table are listed the values which correspond to the Conditions (1)-(5). TABLE 3 # R D N_(d) υ_(d) 1 20.89 1.05 1.77250 49.6 2 7.17 3.19 3 36.93 1.97 1.77250 49.6 4 8.45 2.23 5 −9.60 0.93 1.71736 29.5 6 13.64 0.47 7 16.70 2.54 1.84665 23.8 8 −14.69 D8 (variable) 9 ∞ (stop) D9 (variable) 10 18.56 1.84 1.80439 39.6 11 −60.26 1.97 12 8.55 2.76 1.62041 60.3 13 −48.53 0.39 14 −17.74 2.98 1.84665 23.8 15 7.27 0.39 16 13.93 1.80 1.62041 60.3 17 −17.80 0.18 18 20.52 1.93 1.69679 55.5 19 −17.92 D19 (variable) 20 ∞ 3.32 1.51680 64.2 21 ∞ W T M D8 15.01  5.93 2.21 D9 4.89 3.26 1.63 D19 3.49 5.12 6.76 C 2.29 3.44 4.59 F_(NO) 1.45 1.56 1.76 Condition (1), (4) value: |f₁/f₂| = 0.70 Condition (2) value: f_(IN)/f₁ = 0.38 Condition (3) value: |m_(2w)| = 0.32 Condition (5) value f_(f1f2)/f₁ = 0.88

[0051]FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, for this embodiment at the wide-angle end (f=2.29 mm), FIGS. 4D, 4E and 4F show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, at the mid position (f=3.44 mm), and FIGS. 4G, 4H, and 4I show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, at the telephoto end (f=4.59 mm). In these aberration plots ω indicates the half-image angle. The spherical aberration is shown for both the d and g lines, and the astigmatism is shown for both the sagittal S and tangential T image planes.

[0052] Thus, as is apparent from comparing the data of Table 3 with the Conditions (1)-(5), the zoom lens of Embodiment 3 satisfies each of the Conditions (1)-(5), and the F numbers lie in the range 1.45-1.76 so as to provide a bright image. Further, as is apparent from FIGS. 4A-4I, the image angle 2ω is 115.8° at the wide-angle end and each of the various aberrations is favorably corrected throughout the range of zoom.

[0053] Embodiment 4

[0054] The basic lens element configuration of the wide-angle zoom lens of Embodiment 4 is similar to that of Embodiment 2.

[0055] Table 4 below lists the surface number # in order from the object side, the radius of curvature R (in mm) of each surface, the on-axis spacing D (in mm) between surfaces, as well as the index of refraction N_(d) and Abbe number ν_(d) (both at the d line) of each optical element of Embodiment 4. In the middle portion of the table are listed the values for D8, D9 and D19 as well as the focal lengths f (in mm) and the F-numbers F_(NO) for each zoom position corresponding to the wide-angle end W, the mid-position M, and the telephoto end T. In the bottom portion of the table are listed the values which correspond to the Conditions (1)-(5). TABLE 4 # R D N_(d) υ_(d) 1 17.82 1.00 1.80400 46.6 2 6.16 4.12 3 −75.43 2.00 1.80400 46.6 4 13.10 1.36 5 136.78 2.00 1.71299 53.8 6 9.21 0.55 7 10.24 2.00 1.84665 23.8 8 40.90 D8 (variable) 9 ∞ (stop) D9 (variable) 10 17.51 2.18 1.80400 46.6 11 −29.62 0.42 12 8.92 2.73 1.62041 60.3 13 59.98 0.63 14 −25.08 3.00 1.84665 23.8 15 7.28 0.43 16 13.47 2.93 1.62041 60.3 17 −19.72 1.50 18 14.10 1.73 1.69679 55.5 19 −36.39 D19 (variable) 20 ∞ 3.32 1.51680 64.2 21 ∞ W M T D8 11.21  5.33 3.56 D9 6.39 4.03 1.67 D19 3.06 5.42 7.78 f 2.23 3.34 4.46 FNO 1.45 1.62 1.94 Condition (1), (4) value: |f₁f₂| = 0.47 Condition (2) value: f_(IN)/f₁ = 0.61 Condition (3) value: |m_(2w)| = 0.44 Condition (5) value f_(f1f2)/f₁ = 1.07

[0056]FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, for this embodiment at the wide-angle end (f=2.23 mm), FIGS. 5D, 5E and 5F show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, at the mid position (f=3.34 mm), and FIGS. 5G, 5H, and 5I show the spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion, respectively, at the telephoto end (f=4.46 mm). In these aberration plots ω is the half-image angle. The spherical aberration is shown for both the d and g lines, and the astigmatism is shown for both the sagittal S and tangential T image planes.

[0057] Thus, as is apparent from comparing the data of Table 4 with the Conditions (1)-(5), the zoom lens of Embodiment 4 satisfies each of the Conditions (1)-(5), and the F numbers lie in the range 1.45-1.94 so as to provide a bright image. Further, as is apparent from FIGS. 5A-5I, the image angle 2ω is 120.0° at the wide-angle end and each of the various aberrations is favorably corrected throughout the entire range of zoom.

[0058] Thus, the present invention provides a two-group zoom lens which has an image angle 2ω at the wide-angle end that far exceeds 100°, is compact, provides a high quality image over the entire range of zoom, and is easy to manufacture.

[0059] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. For example, the radii of curvature R and surface spacings D may be readily scaled to achieve a zoom lens having a different range of zoom, and the different optical materials may be used for the lens elements. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. Rather the scope of the invention shall be defined as set forth in the following claims and their legal equivalents. All such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wide-angle zoom lens having only two lens groups, of negative and positive refractive power, respectively, in order from the object side, wherein zooming is performed by moving the first lens group and the second lens group along the optical axis, the first lens group is formed of, in sequential order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens element with its convex surface on the object side, two negative lens elements, and a positive lens element; the second lens group is formed of, in sequential order from the object side, two positive lens elements, a biconcave lens element, and two positive lens elements; and the following conditions are satisfied: 0.43<|f ₁ /f ₂|<0.85 0.35<f _(1N) /f ₁<0.75 0.03<|m _(2W)|<0.48 where f₁ is the focal length of the first lens group, f₂ is the focal length of the second lens group, f_(1N) is the composite focal length of the first three lens elements in the first lens group, in order from the object side, and m_(2W) is the longitudinal magnification of the second lens group, at the wide-angle end.
 2. The wide-angle zoom lens as described in claim 1, wherein the following condition is also satisfied: 0.43<|f ₁ /f ₂|<0.75.
 3. The wide-angle zoom lens as described in claim 1, wherein the following condition is also satisfied: 0.8<f _(f1f2) /f ₁<1.4 where f_(f1f2) is the composite focal length of the first two lens elements of the first lens group, in order from the object side.
 4. A wide-angle zoom lens having only two lens groups, of negative and positive refractive power, respectively, in order from the object side, wherein zooming is performed by moving the first lens group and the second lens group along the optical axis, the first lens group is formed of, in sequential order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens element with its convex surface on the object side, two negative lens elements, and a positive lens element; and the second lens group is formed of, in sequential order from the object side, two positive lens elements, a biconcave lens element, and two positive lens elements.
 5. The wide-angle zoom lens according to claim 4, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.43<|f ₁ /f ₂|<0.85 where f₁ is the focal length of the first lens group, and f₂ is the focal length of the second lens group.
 6. The wide-angle zoom lens according to claim 4, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.35<f _(1N) /f ₁<0.75 where f_(1N) is the composite focal length of the three negative lens elements in the first lens group, and f₁ is the focal length of the first lens group.
 7. The wide-angle zoom lens according to claim 4, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.30<|m _(2W)|<0.48 where m_(2W) is the longitudinal magnification of the second lens group at the wide-angle end.
 8. A wide-angle zoom lens having only two lens groups, of negative and positive refractive power, respectively, in order from the object side, wherein zooming is performed by moving the first lens group and the second lens group along the optical axis, the first lens group is formed of, in sequential order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens element with its convex surface on the object side, two negative lens elements, and a positive lens element; and the second lens group is formed of, in sequential order from the object side, two positive lens elements, a biconcave lens element, and two positive lens elements.
 9. The wide-angle zoom lens according to claim 8, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.43<|f ₁ /f ₂|<0.85 where f₁ is the focal length of the first lens group, and f₂ is the focal length of the second lens group.
 10. The wide-angle zoom lens according to claim 8, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.35<f _(1N) /f ₁<0.75 where f_(1N) is the composite focal length of the three negative lens elements in the first lens group, and f₁ is the focal length of the first lens group.
 11. The wide-angle zoom lens according to claim 8, wherein the following condition is satisfied: 0.30<|m _(2W)|<0.48 where m_(2W) is the longitudinal magnification of the second lens group at the wide-angle end. 